What are the important events that happened on January 8? Here are historical events, facts, and some myths about this day.
January 8: Facts & Myths About This Day
January 8 is the 8th day of the year 2020 in the Gregorian calendar. There are 358 days remaining until the end of this year. The day of the week is Wednesday.
Under the Julian calendar, this day is December 26, 2019 – a Wednesday. Both day of the week are the same but did you notice the difference with the Gregorian calendar?
When this day started, 26,307,360 minutes has elapsed since midnight of January 1, 1970 – the Unix epoch.
Strange as it may, if we name this day after a polygon then it will be called ‘octagon’ day.
Hey! How’s your lovelife today? Get a free love reading
with the most frank answers. Start to seize love opportunities in your life! Did I mention it’s F-R-E-E?
(Sponsored link; 18+ only)
Capricorn is the zodiac sign of a person born on this day. Garnet is the modern birthstone for this month. Emerald is the mystical birthstone from Tibetan origin that dates back over a thousand years.
According to the lunisolar Chinese calendar, there are 17 days remaining before the start of the next Chinese New Year.
The ancient Maya civilization believes that the end of the world will happen on December 21, 2012. There are now 2,574 days since this fabled cataclysmic event.
Do people and celebrities interest you? Discover all the January 8 famous birthdays who share your special day. Learn some fun facts about your birthday! (Sponsored link)
January 8 Historical Events
- 871 –Alfred the Great leads a West Saxon army to repel an invasion by Danelaw Vikings.
- 1499 –Louis XII of France marries Anne of Brittany.
- 1780 –An earthquake of estimated magnitude 7.7 hits the city of Tabriz, Iran, killing about 80,000 people and causing major damage.
- 1806 –Cape Colony becomes a British colony.
- 1920 –The steel strike of 1919 ends in a complete failure for the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers labor union.
- 1940 –World War II: Britain introduces food rationing.
- 1945 –World War II: Philippine Commonwealth troops under the Philippine Commonwealth Army units was enter the province of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon and attack Japanese Imperial forces.
- 1962 –The Harmelen train disaster killed 93 people in the Netherlands.
- 1971 –Bowing to international pressure, President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto releases Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from prison, who had been arrested after declaring the independence of Bangladesh.
- 1979 –The tanker Betelgeuse explodes in Bantry Bay, Ireland.
Who were born on January 8?
- 1788 –Archduke Rudolph of Austria (d. 1831)
- 1821 –W.H.L. Wallace, American Union general (d. 1862)
- 1909 –Willy Millowitsch, German actor (d. 1999)
- 1941 –Graham Chapman, British comedian (d. 1989)
- 1947 –Don Bendell, American author & karate master
- 1971 –Pascal Zuberbühler, Swiss footballer
- 1979 –Stipe Pletikosa, Croatian footballer
- 1986 –Jaclyn Linetsky, Canadian actress (d. 2003)
- 1986 –Jessica Parker Kennedy, Canadian actress
- 1989 –Kristján Einar, Icelandic racing driver
Who died on January 8?
- 1570 –Philibert de l'Orme, French architect (b. c. 1510)
- 1713 –Arcangelo Corelli, Italian composer (b. 1653)
- 1775 –John Baskerville, English printer (b. 1706)
- 1950 –Joseph Schumpeter, Austrian economist (b. 1883)
- 1986 –Pierre Fournier, French cellist (b. 1906)
- 2005 –Michel Thomas, Polish linguist (b. 1914)
- 2005 –Warren Spears, American choreographer and dancer (b. 1954)
- 2006 –Tony Banks, British politician (b. 1943)
- 2008 –George Moore, Australian champion jockey (b. 1923)
- 2011 –Thorbjørn Svenssen, Norwegian footballer (b. 1924)
What no one tells you about your first name’s personality. Are there hidden powers in your moniker? Check out Dave’s personality and get smart about names today. (Sponsored links)